Making the Diagnosis
Acute bronchitis is diagnosed by a doctor after a physical examination and discussion of your symptoms. This diagnosis is likely if you have a persistent cough, are spitting up yellow or green mucus, and have recently had a lung infection or a cold.
Chronic bronchitis is also diagnosed after your doctor has done a careful physical exam and has asked about the overall history of your health. Your doctor may want you to have pulmonary function tests to assess how well your lungs are working.
In either case, if your doctor suspects other problems such as emphysema, a chest X-ray will be ordered. Sputum samples may also be analyzed to identify any infectious organisms in the airways, although these are less useful.